BEN ASKREN has been using Jake Paul’s FACE as target practise after he got the YouTuber printed on a heavy bag.
The retired UFC welterweight faces Paul on April 17, in what will be his first boxing bout.
Ben Askren, 36, has been using Jake Paul’s FACE as target practise
The retired UFC welterweight faces Jake Paul on April 17
But he is already getting to grips with finding the social media star’s chin, in the form of a boxing bag.
Askren, 36, uploaded rare training footage which revealed him landing shots on Paul’s mocked up face.
The American won titles in Bellator and ONE Championship before moving to the UFC in 2019.
But after three fights, and two losses, he hung up the gloves citing injury and underwent hip surgery in 2020.
Despite having vastly more amounts of fighting experience than Paul, Askren was renowned for his grappling style, rarely striking.
As a result, he is the betting underdog going into the fight.
Paul, 24, is 2-0 since debuting in 2020, and has two knockouts to his name, against online rival ‘AnEsonGib’ and ex-NBA player Nate Robinson.
He is yet to get past the second round, and his coach, ex-cruiserweight contender BJ Flores, does not see that changing against Askren.
BOXING SPECIAL: GET CANELO TO BEAT YILDIRIM AT 20/1
Flores, 42, told BoxingScene: “Jake regularly trains and spars with some of the very best prospects in the country.
“The difference is night and day. Ben Askren and the entire MMA world is in for a major surprise on April 17.
“I’m not saying nothing else. We will do our talking April 17 on Triller.
“Seeing some of the Ben Askren training footage, I will be shocked if this fight gets into the second round.”
Jake Paul knocked out ex-NBA star Nate RobinsonCredit: USA TODAY Sports
Ex-UFC fighter Ben Askren has never boxed professionally beforeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
